Gambon will be honored for his outstanding contribution to British film with the Richard Harris Award. The award is especially meaningful as Gambon took over Harris’ role as Professor Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” franchise following Harris’ death in 2002. Harris played the role in helmer Chris Columbus’ first two “Potter” films. Gambon most recently appears in Dustin Hoffman’s “Quartet.”

Previous recipients of the Richard Harris Award, which was introduced in 2002, include Ralph Fiennes, John Hurt, Bob Hoskins, Daniel Day-Lewis and Helena Bonham Carter.

The honors will be awarded at the BIFA awards ceremony in London on Dec. 9.